Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker signed (silver sharpie) official on-site programme vs Felix "Tito" Trinidad, 20th February 1999, Madison Square Garden, New York.

Condition mint

Time and lead right hands finally caught up with the greatest defensive fighter of the second half of the 20th Century. No one beats the clock. Not even former six-time world champions.

IBF welterweight king Felix "Tito" Trinidad retained his crown by scoring a commanding 12-round unanimous decision over future Hall of Famer Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker. The champion proved to be the younger, stronger, quicker fighter and repeatedly jolted the former mythical pound-for-pound king with repeated lead right hands.

Trinidad scored the only knockdown in the contest when he dropped Whitaker late in the second round with a whistling right hand that caught the challenger flush on the chin. The challenger was up quickly but the riveting right hand set the tone for the entire evening.

Judge Melvina Lathan and Beeba Exton scored the fight 118-109, while Samuel Conde Lopez had it, 117-111, all in favor of Trinidad.

The convincing victory for Trinidad sets the stage for a possible showdown with WBC welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya, in what would be a mega-fight set for late September of this year.

Despite struggling to make the 147-pound weight limit the day before the fight, Trinidad is convinced he remains the premier welterweight in boxing.

"I came to do my fight and I knew I was going to win," Trinidad said after the lopsided victory. "I am the best welter in the world. I had no problems making this weight. I am the best there is in this division."

Coming into the bout, Whitaker has only lost twice in his long career, both on disputed decisions to Jose Luis Ramirez and Oscar De La Hoya. Following the loss he still wasn't convinced he had been defeated.

"He didn't do anything, we'll see what the people think," Whitaker said. "I had a good time. I thought I won."

Price: £65

Born January 2, 1964 in Norfolk, VA. As an amateur boxer he compiled an amazing 201-14 (91 KOs) record and captured the Pan American Games title in 1982, the World Championship in 1983 and the gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games. “Sweet Pea” turned pro in 1984 at Madison Square Garden. In 1987 he defeated Roger Mayweather for the NABF lightweight title and two fights later added the USBA belt. In 1988 Whitaker challenged Jose Luis Ramirez for the WBC lightweight title and lost a controversial decision in his initial title bid. He won his first world championship via a 12 round decision over Greg Haugen for the IBF lightweight title on February 18, 1989. A measure of revenge followed with a rematch win over Ramirez in 1989 for the WBC belt. He unified the championship with a 1st round kayo over WBA titlist Juan Nazario on August 11, 1990. After establishing dominance at lightweight, Whitaker set his sights higher and captured world titles in three additional weight divisions – IBF light welterweight (1992), WBC welterweight (1993-1997) and WBA light middleweight (1995). With brilliant hand speed, the elusive southpaw was a defensive marvel who utilized a stinging right jab and straight left hand to score wins over such formidable foes as Freddie Pendelton, Anthony Jones, Jorge Paez, Harold Brazier, James “Buddy” McGirt and Hall of Famer Azumah Nelson. A showman in the ring, Whitaker was named “Fighter of the Year” in 1989 and was widely considered boxing's best “pound for pound” fighter during his championship reigns. “Sweet Pea” retired in 2001 after compiling a 40-4-1 (17 KOs) professional record.